Hunter x Hunter

Series

Both OVA and series are connected – the OVA continues where the series left off. So if you’re starting out on this anime, make sure you don’t watch the OVA before the series.

Where to start… there are a lot of things that I think are absurd in this series, but then again this is anime. It’s all free game and every developer is entitled a chance. But don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoyed the series and especially the OVA!

So I will tell you my verdict now: It’s fun to watch, because… it’s fun to watch! For me there isn’t really any wow factor that could set it apart from the rest and in fact I’m going to discuss some of the absurdities in a while, but even with all of those present, it’s still fun to watch for some reason.

The “supposed” story is about Gon Freaks, son of a famous (and arguably the best) hunter, who wants to become a hunter himself to find his father.

SPOILER WARNING

Now for the peeves: You’d think the series would actually finish that story… but you are sorely mistaken, In fact it’s so open ended that even the “new story” that will develop will still be open ended!

Another issue is the whole concept, which actually is forgivable but might as well just lay it out there for discussion’s sake. I’m talking about the perspective: It’s a world of hunters! Of course not all people are hunters, but the sheer mass and importance of the “hunter kind” surely makes the whole perspective radically different. It’s a good thing it’s a different world so it makes it easier for the viewer to apply some “suspension of disbelief” into the series.

I’m probably being too anal about anyways, so let’s just let that slide. Another funny thing is also related on perspective: first it was all about Gon wanting to be a hunter, then it naturally it will evolve into that hunter exam etc. etc. The story takes a turn to the life of Killua and how they try to bring him back cuz he’s their friend. This is still fine since its a lot of EPs – so having sub plots won’t hurt.

Then after that, it goes into a sort of Flame of Recca thing which is all about hunter tournaments, but at least the underlying motive of the two is to get enough money to find Gon’s dad, and thusly reverts back to the original plot.

But the sudden change into the world of “nen”¹ fad really cracked me up. I admit that there was a little teaser to nen way back during the hunter exam². I have no objections with the introduction of the nen concept, but after it was explicitly mentioned, suddenly it’s a world of NEN!!! Now it’s nen this nen that. Haven’t they heard of moderation? I’m sure nen would fit right in, but it doesn’t have to be blatantly developed like that.

Anyways, after the whole tournament and nen thing, the story shifts to Kurapica’s revenge. And the clever use of the auction to bring everyone, along with their different goals back together in one place – though you tend to forget about Gon’s dad now, it’s all about Kurapica and Gon and Killua suddenly become secondary, which is pleasantly strange, partly because of the way the anime presented it. The scenes are still a majority of Gon and Killua, but their motives now are to help Kurapica, which seems to be the main man in the last stretch.

OVA

The OVA continues the Kurapica storyline and finishes part of the issue. The OVA lost most (if not all) humor. The OVA was really dark and serious. Still, it was very appropriate since there wouldn’t be any other way to present it effectively. Regardless, it was still sooooo open ended! The Spiders³ were still alive, the main bad guy didn’t really die and there still was somewhere where he could go. Gon and Killua (and his brother) never even got to get that blasted game… which basically states Gon’s still in “square one” as far as his own personal quest for his dad goes. Killua… well killua was flighty to begin with, and Leorios story was never really developed after just a few flashbacks earlier in the series but not like it was important to begin with. So the series is perfectly setup for other seasons (and OVAs) to come around.

There you have it. The funny thing is I couldn’t think of any other way of developing things considering how far apart the sub-plots seem to be, so I guess I’m in no position to really diss those peeves. That, and the fact that I really enjoyed watching it and it never bored me.

So I would still recommend people watch it because… IT’S FUN TO WATCH!